A method for estimation of elastic wave velocity anisotropy based on ultrasonic sounding data during rock-sample loading was developed. The subject matter of the method is approximation of ultrasonic sounding data by triaxial velocity ellipsoid. The applicability of proposed method was verified on investigation of anisot ropic rock samples. Laboratory loading of migmatite samples was realized under various mutual orientations between acting force direction and rock foliation - perpendicular, parallel and under 45°. P-ve velocity of ultrasound waves was monitored by 8 sensors network. The velocity ellipsoid was computed and changes of sizes and waorientation its main axes during loading were analyzed for separate experiments with regard to loading level. It was found, that independently to mutual orientation between rock foliation and loading direction, the minimum velocity vector turns to perpendicular direction to final rupture plane and maximum velocity vector turns to the plane of final rupture., Matěj Petružálek, Jan Vilhelm, Tomáš Lokajíček and Vladimír Rudajev., and Obsahuje bibliografické odkazy
Patients suffering from Parkinson's disease must periodically undergo a series of tests, usually performed at medical facilities, to diagnose the current state of the disease. Parkinson's disease progression assessment is an important set of procedures that supports the clinical diagnosis. A common part of the diagnostic train is analysis of speech signal to identify the disease-specific communication issues. This contribution describes two types of computational models that map speech signal measurements to clinical outputs. Speech signal samples were acquired through measurements from patients suffering from Parkinson's disease. In addition to direct mapping, the developed systems must be able of generalization so that correct clinical scale values can be predicted from future, previously unseen speech signals. Computational methods considered in this paper are artificial neural networks, particularly feedforward networks with several variants of backpropagation learning algorithm, and adaptive network-based fuzzy inference system (ANFIS). In order to speed up the learning process, some of the algorithms were parallelized. Resulting diagnostic system could be implemented in an embedded form to support individual assessment of Parkinson's disease progression from patients' homes.
Mitochondrial dysfunction is currently acknowledged as a central
pathomechanism of most common diseases of the 21st century.
Recently, the assessment of the bioenergetic profile of human
peripheral blood cells has emerged as a novel research field with
potential applications in the development of disease biomarkers.
In particular, platelets have been successfully used for
the ex vivo analysis of mitochondrial respiratory function in
several acute and chronic pathologies. An increasing number of
studies support the idea that evaluation of the bioenergetic
function in circulating platelets may represent the peripheral
signature of mitochondrial dysfunction in metabolically active
tissues (brain, heart, liver, skeletal muscle). Accordingly,
impairment of mitochondrial respiration in peripheral platelets
might have potential clinical applicability as a diagnostic and
prognostic tool as well as a biomarker in treatment monitoring.
The aim of this minireview is to summarize current information in
the field of platelet mitochondrial dysfunction in both acute and
chronic diseases.
An expedition was undertaken to French Guiana in search of amphibian parasites. Of the 23 anuran species collected and screened for polystomes, the toad Rhinella margaritifera (Laurenti) was the sole species found to be infected with a polystome, namely Wetapolystoma almae Gray, 1983. Of the two caecilian species collected, a new species of Nanopolystoma du Preez, Huyse et Wilkinson, 2008 was discovered from the urinary bladder of the aquatic caecilian Typhlonectes compressicauda (Duméril et Bibron). The small size of the mature worm, two non-diverticulated caeca of equal length that are non-confluent posteriorly, vitelline follicles in two dense lateral fields, a single follicular testis in the middle of the body, small ovary and a single operculated egg in utero, vaginae present and the caecilian host allowed the identification of the specimen as Nanopolystoma. Larger body size, hamulus length, egg diameter and occurrence in the caecilian family Typhlonectidae distinguishes the new species from the two other known polystomes in Nanopolystoma; thus, the description of Nanopolystoma tinsleyi sp. n. is provided within this paper.
In the present study physicochemical characterization of slate sample was carried out which was collected from slate mine in Lasbela District, Baluchistan. Slate was evaluated for its effectiveness as partial replacement of ordinary Portland cement (OPC) in the production of Portland Pozzolana cement (PPC). The grain size analysis of crushed slate sample using ball mill revealed that maximum fraction retained on 44 μm was about 72.8 %. Sum of the major oxides (SiO2 + Al2O3 + Fe2O3) is about 90.09 % that meet the requirement as per ASTM C 618 (minimum 70.0 %). Other oxides including SO3 (<0.05), CaO (4.04), MgO (1.66), K2O (0.10), Na2O (0.16), TiO2 (0.35), MnO (<0.02) and Cl (0.12) also meet the international standard of ASTM C 618 for PPC. OPC without and with using slate sample in a ratio of 5 % and 10 % with clinker was tested to measure compressive strength, physical tests and setting time. The results showed that after 5 % and 10 % replacement, insignificant effect was observed on the physical properties, setting time and compressive strength in 2-, 7- and 28-days curing. Hence, slate can be used as natural pozzolan for manufacturing PPC. It is cost effective for the production of cement as well as to sustain the resources of limestone for long time and reducing emission of CO2 in the environment. It can also be used in the sulfate rich environment, coastal areas especially for the construction of dams and bridges.
The rockfall hazard in high hills of deccan pleatue has been one of the major disasters in western part of India. The present study aimed to assess the stability of hill cut highway slope near Khandala Tunnel along Mumbai-Pune expressway, Maharashtra, India. This study is significant as the Khandala tunnel is one of the five tunnels situated along the Mumbai-Pune expressway, which experiences frequent rockfall and slope instability, mostly in the rainy season. The assessment of slope failure in the present study performed by a combination of rockfall simulation and 2D slope stability analysis. The results of the slope analysis show that the slope is stable in dry condition having a factor of safety (FoS) 1.48. In contrast, it becomes very critical during the rainy season having FoS of 1.07. Rockfall analysis shows that the boulders came down on both carriageways with approximate maximum bounce height, total kinetic energy, and translational velocity of 9 m, 500 kJ, and 16 m/s, respectively. The preventive slope stabilisation measures suggested to minimise the failure problems and to capture the movement of falling blocks before reaching the road.
Wild boar is an autochthonous animal species of the Czech Republic that has significantly increased its population density in recent years. There are concerns that there is an associated negative impact upon agricultural crop production however, objective methods for sustainable management of wild boar, especially for estimation of its population density and intensity of regulation are still lacking. Wild boar differs markedly from the other free-living ungulates in its spatial activity and food selection, which limits applicability of the experiences and methods used for other species. Two methods of wild boar population censusing in a forest environment were tested in this study. The density of wild boar was evaluated in an area of 2256 ha, circumscribed by both natural and man-made barriers that restrict wild boar migration. Wild boar abundance was estimated using traditional snow-track counting and photo trapping data analysis. Both field methods were used in the winter season 2009-2010. Wild boar abundance as assessed by snow-track counting was 6.3 ind./km2 and by phototrapping 6.8 ind./km2. The results have revealed that if correctly performed, both of the tested methods are applicable to estimate wild boar abundance. Photo trapping seems to be more accurate; it requires special equipment and is time-consuming, however, it provides additional information on the structure of the population and requires less experience to undertake. Combination of several methods is advisable.
The increasing worldwide production of bisphenols has been associated to several human diseases, such as chronic respiratory and kidney diseases, diabetes, breast cancer, prostate cancer, behavioral troubles and reproductive disorders in both sexes. The aim of the present in vitro study was to evaluate the potential impact bisphenols A, B, S and F on the cell viability and testosterone release in TM3 Leydig cell line. Mice Leydig cells were cultured in the presence of different concentrations of bisphenols (0.04-50 µg.ml-1 ) during 24 h exposure. Quantification of the cell viability was assessed using the metabolic activity assay, while the level of testosterone in cell culture media was determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Within the panel of substances under investigations, the higher experimental concentrations (10; 25 and 50 µg.ml-1 ) significantly (P<0.001) decreased Leydig cells viability, while the same doses of BPA and BPB also reduced testosterone production significantly (P<0.001). Taken together, the results of our study reported herein is a consistent whit the conclusion that higher experimental doses of bisphenols have a cytotoxic effect and could have a dose-dependent impact on testosterone production.
The suitability of two forest biotopes (oak and hornbeam-beech forests) for occupation by D. nitedula in Daghestan, Russia is considered. Biotopes have been characterized according to 11 parameters. All 11 vegetation parameters were significantly different between study areas. The indices of D. nitedula success in the studied biotopes demonstrated that numbers were higher in an oak forest than in a hornbeam-beech forest. Estimates of microhabitat distribution showed that D. nitedula individuals prefer to live in shrub associations and in areas with young trees in both biotopes. The body weight of adults and reproduction rate were similar in both biotopes. We concluded that in situation when the body weight and reproduction rates of individual D. nitedula were similar but the numbers of species in the both forest biotopes significantly differ, the structure of woody-shrub vegetation becomes a significant factor.